Oh, I still have an ongoing story don't I. I do apologize for the delay on this, if anyone's keeping count. I'm pretty sure it's been more than a month. But you should know by now my track record on updating.

To respond to a review, I really didn't mean to offend anyone. I was hoping that I wasn't making this too unrealistic or not portraying it well enough, but if you feel that way, then I apologize. But if you don't like it, you don't have to read it. Doesn't bother me one bit.

I've re-read this about 50 times, and I really can't think of anyway to make it more... more. In other terms, I could really use a beta!

On another side note, I think I'll be ending this one soon, seeing as how it was only meant to be a two-shot, I think I'm just about where I want to be with it.

Disclaimer: Seriously?

Rick's hand reached over to slam the offending object from which the incessant beeping was being emitted. Once he succeeded in his attempts; he turned back over to wrap an arm around Kate but was somewhat disappointed when he was met with cool sheets, informing him that the spot had been vacant for quite some time. Opening his eyes, he noticed a post-it stuck to the bedside table.

Coffee date with Maddy, be back later. –K

A small smile lit up his face as he read the short note. Two weeks had passed since the hospital incident, and neither had heard from or seen her father at all, for which Rick was extremely grateful, and Kate seemed more at ease. Smiling to himself that Kate seemed to be getting back to her old self, he sat up and went about getting ready for the day.

Jim Beckett groaned as he tried to force his eyes open against the blinding sun streaming through the windows, and the pounding that was currently residing in his skull. 'Why is it so damn bright in here?' He thought to himself as he pulled the blankets back over his head and proceeded to fall back asleep until he heard someone shuffle their feet in the doorway.

"Katie?" He asked in shock after he threw the covers back and caught sight of his daughter. She was the last person he'd expected to see ever again after what he had done.

"There's two Tylenol and a glass of water beside you." She answered stiffly, as she battled with her fight or flight instincts.

Nodding, he took a minute attempting to sit up and then downed the pills. The two sat in an uncomfortable silence for a few moments before Jim made a move to stand up. Though slightly terrified, Kate stood her ground, determined not to show her fear. That is until he took a step in her direction, causing her to retreat instinctively. Sensing her discomfort, he froze and the stare down continued.

"Where does Rick think you are?" Even though their relationship was strained, he knew his daughter well enough to know that she had come here unbeknownst to anyone else.

"Coffee with a friend." She replied shortly.

"Hmm," he grunted his consent.

Another few moments of silence passed, Jim's fists clenching and unclenching as he tried to think of what to say, while Kate maintained her hardened composure in the doorway. His eyes flitted around the room focusing on anything but her. Seeing the barely there, but still noticeable bruise that traced the side of her face, as a reminder of what he had done; was too much for him to overcome.

"I don't know where to start." He admitted, locking eyes with her.

"An apology wouldn't hurt."

"Something tells me it's going to take a lot more than an apology to make it up to you."

"Can't argue with that," she shot back.

"Are you…" he trailed off not knowing how to finish and broke away from her gaze.

"I'm fine now."

He couldn't hide the unmistakable sadness that resided in his eyes as she took a few more moments to scrutinize him from her spot against the frame. "I think Rick was in worse shape than I was." She said trying to turn the attention away from her condition.

After a few more moments he spoke up again, "I really am sorry. I don't know how I will ever regain your trust."

"You do know how, you're just stubborn."

"I'm too far in Katie, I can't do it." He forced himself to hold eye contact with her so she would understand just how deep he had dug himself in.

"I can't go without it, it's the only thing that takes the pain away, and the pain is just too much. It hurts too damn much, all the time, and it never goes away." He managed to confess before the quite sobs began. "The pain never goes away." He finished as a few unshed tears took residence in his eyes and his breath started coming in short gasps. After a couple minutes he managed to regain his composure, taking a deep breath; he scrubbed a hand over his face, attempting to clear his vision and sat down in the chair perched by the window.

"I just miss her so much."

Kate took this sign of weakness as her chance to move further into the room. Moving slowly across the stretch of room; she kept a watchful eye on her father before taking a seat on the foot of the bed, turning slightly so as not to have her back to him, but not facing him completely either.

"It's not impossible though."

"How are you handling it so well?"

"I didn't at first, but I've got a good support system now; with friends like these." She answered, smiling to herself despite her cold exterior, knowing that Rick would've gotten a kick out of her using the old English Proverb in this context.

"You mean that boyfriend of yours?"

"He helps a lot too."

"You're too good for him." He commented snidely, and she could sense the shift in atmosphere as the progress they were making slowly slipped away and started to deteriorate along with any hope of keeping up a rational conversation.

"Actually, I think it's the other way around." She replied cautiously.

"Dammit Katie!" He yelled shooting up out of his chair, startling Kate. If she had to describe her dad in a few short words; short tempered would top the list, which made these visits that much scarier.

"What're you thinking, running around with that rich playboy?" He kept on, as Kate countered him step for step, retreating until her back hit the wall, now she was in for it. Keeping up her defensive stance, she sorted through her options of escape while her dad stood his place by the door; blocking her only exit.

"He's not like that dad." She retorted, standing up straighter and pushing off the wall.

"Like hell he's not."

"You know what, it doesn't matter." She replied offhandedly as she continued towards him. "Honestly, I don't care what you think. I'm happy with where I am and I wish that you could be a part of that happiness, but I guess that's just too much to ask for." With that she pushed past her father, and strode out the door.

A hand around her elbow stopped her before she hit the landing of the stairs; fear crept up on her as flashbacks of those horrible nights all those months ago came running through her mind.

"Katie," he pleaded, but she cut him off.

"No dad," She snapped using her momentum to snatch her arm back from him. "Don't 'Katie' me. I've heard it all before. You'll promise me that you can change but you never do." She crossed the kitchen and threw the back door open. Turning around to find her father still glued to the same spot on the stairs she said her goodbyes, "I'm always here dad, you know when to find me." With that she crossed the threshold and slammed the door behind her.

Checking her phone once she sat down in her car she noticed the numerous texts, voicemails, and missed calls from Rick. Rolling her eyes, she dialed straight to the first voicemail.

'Kate, Maddy called looking for you to ask if you wanted to have lunch. Where are you? Please call me back.'

The edge of worriedness in his voice got worse and worse with each call. Deciding that the rest of the mass were probably along the same lines; she dialed his number.

"Kate! Where are you?" He answered on the second ring.

"It's a long story, but I'll be home soon."

"Kate, what is it? What's wrong?" Damn him for being able to tell something was wrong, just by hearing her voice.

"Nothing, everything's fine now. I'll explain when I get back."

"You weren't at your dads were you?"

She released a sigh, which she knew he would pick up on.

"Kate, it's not safe there, why did you go without me? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Look, I don't want to have this conversation over the phone so like I said; I'll be back soon." Not in the mood to discuss anymore, she disconnected the call.

Yes, this was a short one. The inspiration wasn't quite there. I promise the next one will have more material.

Thanks for reading kids,

-Anna Lee